Thank You Everyone for the Amazing Birthday Wishes!! Today I turn 37 years old. I typically enjoy celebrating by scuba diving or exploring a foreign country, but this year I'm home in New York City. I will be scuba diving in a few weeks and stoked to be back in the ocean.⠀Another year goes by and life couldn't be more exciting and interesting. It really is about the process and journey, not necessarily the destination.⠀Been tirelessly working on my business, and also joining forces with another. All good positive signs, and partly why I'm going to stick around Long Island City a bit longer. I want to find out what happens next on this adventure!⠀Some of you may have seen my new hashtag #thefullexperienceguy . Came up with this description based on my life-style of seeking the Full Experience in everything I do. Part of my passion and interest is to immerse myself into other people's culture, food, and nature. I want the Full Experience!⠀If anyone wants to take some photos, and shoot together, let me know! See you all around in NYC!⠀#birthday#birthdaypost#cliffordtoy#cliffordtoyphotography#thefullexperienceguy

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It doesn't get much more Romantic than rowing a boat through Central Park during the Autumn season. ⠀I snapped this photo while walking with my friends in Central Park @chouonthis and @sakikoflorecer ⠀⠀Tbh, I haven't spent much time in Central Park during the Autumn season. Photography changed my perspective and experience within my home city. Though I have been photographing since I was a kid, I didn't take photography seriously as as a life-long skill until later in life. Traveling was the catalyst for becoming a professional photographer.⠀I feel free in the field with my camera, where my creativity can run wild. Some would say i'm free-spirited, but I'm just the black sheep of my family.⠀I'm cherishing the moments and time in NYC more than when I was here full-time working the corporate job. Today I observe millions of people who live in this bubble within it's own eco-system, and see for myself that's not how I want to live the rest of my life. At one point I thought this was it...⠀As a child I've never been one to sit still in class, or attend Church activities at Camp Warwick. (Yes, i grew up in a life surrounded by Church) I was always out alone hiking into the forest behind the camp, until it was time to eat! Then my stomach rushed back to the cafeteria. I still live this way, except now I travel on an international level to hide out in a rainforest, mountain, Ocean, and doing things I love within nature. NYC makes me feel trapped in the same way as the corporate office, school, and Christian camp as a kid. I thought that would change as i grew older, but it's engrained into my DNA. Writing is also another one of my outlets...if you enjoy reading this, drop a message with your thoughts, would love to hear a different perspective one's life story.⠀Today I enjoy seeing New York City more as a visitor than a resident. There's so much to do and see during the times everyone is at the office on weekdays, and not to mention less congestion at supermarkets, stores, and getting around. If you want a local tour of NYC, let me know.⠀Find me online, and book a portrait session with me. ⠀⠀...#portraitphotography#centralpark#cliffordtoy

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How do You feel about New York City? The City that Never Sleeps, they say. New York City can be the most exciting, romantic experience, and also be the loneliest, darkest place. I love you NYC because you made me part of who I am today, and countless amazing experiences I couldn't have anywhere else but in the backyard of my own home. But I also dislike it here...⠀If you made it this far, thanks for reading. For a city with so much entertainment, can feel so lonely at times. I couldn't imagine how difficult it can be moving into NYC, and making new friends. Growing up in one city your whole life can create a deeply rooted network of friends, acquaintances, and hopefully not enemies.⠀NYC is one of the most difficult cities to live in because cost of living is astronomical, and you receive limited space in exchange for an urban life style. Definitely not a bargain city. Many people work multiple jobs just to make rent. ⠀⠀It's been 3 years away from NYC for me...focused on photography, travel, meeting new friends, and eating my heart out around the world. Gaining more life experience by doing things I love.⠀I've always felt I was on a solo journey, and got used to the feeling of being alone, especially when I was away traveling for business 6 days a week with Panasonic. I can't believe I'll be 37 yrs old next week, and time really does fly.⠀Never was one to follow the crowd in life, but that mentality has taken me so far in life's experiences. I wouldn't trade for the world.⠀When i look at this bench at Queensbridge Park, it seems so beautiful on the water, yet empty and lonely. How can a place feel so lonely in a city filled with 11 million people? ⠀⠀I'm happy i've made friends around the world I can visit, and leave NYC from time to time.⠀Still not sure if i should stay in NYC or pursue my dream of photography, beach, surf, diving, fishing, maybe open a yoga retreat center with infinity pool in a tropical place. ⠀I'll keep photographing in the meantime, improving my skills and find out where the next adventure leads me!⠀It would be nice to have a partner with a similar agenda to adventure around with...